The Significance of Allah’s name al-Aziz: The Most Powerful and Dignified | Blog

وَلَا يَحْزُنكَ قَوْلُهُمْ ۘ إِنَّ ٱلْعِزَّةَ لِلَّهِ جَمِيعًا ۚ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ

While this strong declaration of “all might (‘izza) belongs to Allah” may seem simple to comprehend, there are in fact many subtle layers of meanings to this verse.

Although ‘izza is often directly translated as “power'' or “might,” scholars provide a more nuanced definition of ‘dignified power.’ That is, no matter the extent of one’s power, it can only be classified as ‘izza if it is accompanied by dignity.

Reflecting on Allah’s design in his human creation can provide clarity on the uniqueness of Allah’s might. Many humans possess the attributes of mercy and kindness, but also lack strength, and therefore, can be taken advantage of. Likewise, powerful humans often manifest their power rashly and cruelly. However, this is not the case for Allah Almighty. His attributes are in perfect harmony; He is “the Most Kind (al-Ra’uf),” “the Almighty (al-Aziz),” “the Most Loving (al-Wadud),” and “the Subduer (al-Qahhar),” with no contradiction between any of these attributes.

“To Allah belong the Most Beautiful Names, so call upon Him by them…” (Qur’an 7:180).

وَلِلَّهِ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ فَٱدْعُوهُ بِهَا ۖ

Although Muslims often overlook the significance of Allah’s ninety-nine magnificent names, viewing them as a mere song to be taught to children, there is in fact no greater subject of study than the names and attributes of Allah. Allah’s glorious names hold an incredible spiritual power; for it is through them that Allah reveals Himself to us and provides us with the opportunity to grow closer to Him.

There is near unanimous agreement among the scholars that Allah possesses more names than the ones He revealed to us. Thus, every name He did reveal He chose to reveal to us. This is because Allah wants you to know who He is to the best of our limited human capacity. He wants you to call upon Him with these beautiful names and use them as a means to grow closer to your Creator. What then is Allah trying to teach us through His name Al-Aziz, or the Almighty?

Al-Aziz is one of the most frequently mentioned names in the Qur’an, some 92 times in total. One reason Allah emphasizes His might so often, and pairs it with other concepts, is because it would be imbalanced to solely emphasize Allah’s infinite mercy and forgiveness. Instead, attending to His might as well as His mercy contributes to a fully-balanced God image. God image refers to one’s mental image of God, that is, how one views God, which in turn affects their views on everything around them.

It is especially important to have a positive and balanced view of God, because the Prophet ﷺ narrated that “Allah said, ‘I am as My servant expects of Me.’” Allah is thus inviting us to perceive Him positively so that we experience Him positively in our lives.

Bilal ibn Saʿd (d. 116 AH) would say, “Do not look at the smallness of the sin, but look at [the greatness of] the One whom you have sinned against” (Ḥilyat al-Awliyā’ 5/223). Therefore, a balanced God image is one that protects us from two extremes: falling into despair of God’s punishment or using God’s overwhelming mercy to excuse the worst of behavior. True believers then neither despair of the mercy of Allah, nor feel immune to the consequences of their sins.

In the Qur’an, as we will see, Allah communicates to us three aspects of His might through the name al-Aziz: power, independence, and dominion/sovereignty.

The first message Allah communicates to us through his name al-Aziz is the perfection of His power. While we will never be capable of comprehending the true extent of Allah’s power, the majority of us do not even appropriately appreciate it.

Abdullah (rA) narrated that “A rabbi came to Allah's Messenger ﷺ and said, "O Muhammad! We learn that Allah will put all the heavens on one finger, the earths on one finger, the trees on one finger, the water and the dust on one finger, and all the other created beings on one finger. Then He will say, 'I am the King.'

Thereupon, the Prophet ﷺ smiled until his premolar teeth became visible, confirming what the rabbi had said. Then Allah's Messenger ﷺ recited: 'They have not made a just estimate of Allah such as is due to Him. And on the Day of Resurrection the whole of the earth will be grasped in His Grip and the heavens will be rolled up in His Right Hand. Glorified is He, and High is He above all that they associate as partners with Him.'"(Qur’an 39:67) (Sahih Al-Bukhari 4811)

This hadith is just one illustration of the degree to which Allah’s overwhelming power lies beyond our comprehension. While modern science has demonstrated just our own observable universe (which is a fraction of the unobservable creation) to be billions of light-years in size, as Muslims we know, “Certainly for Allah that is easy” (Qur’an 29:19).

Through the name al-Aziz, Allah also communicates to us that He has no needs. This is contrary to how we perceive power in human beings. We often think of powerful people as those who can endure difficult trials, but when Allah refers to Himself as al-Aziz it implies that His power does not result in a need to sacrifice, nor to endure hardship.

The majority of theological errors, both in Islam and other religions, arise from the failure to realize God’s complete self-sufficiency, thereby not giving Him His “proper estimate.” This is why we say, “Glorified be Allah the Almighty from what they ascribe to Him.” Allah reminds us in the Verse of the Throne, “Who is the one who can intercede without Allah’s will?” (Qur’an 2:255). Here, He reminds us of His total independence; if He allows someone to intercede on our behalf, it is only by His gracious permission and mercy.

The third essence that Allah expresses through His beautiful name al-Aziz is that His might permeates and overpowers all things. Allah says “Say: O Allah, Lord of all dominion! You give sovereignty to whom You will, and take away dominion from whom You will, and You exalt whom You will, and abase whom You will. In Your Hand is all good. Surely You are All-Powerful” (Qur’an 3:26).

The idea that Allah’s might permeates all things is an immense concept, one almost too difficult for the human mind to comprehend. Still, the acknowledgment of a greater power is a part of the human inclination (fitra), as can be viewed throughout different societies today and in the past.

Realizing and acknowledging Allah’s power, independence, and dominion over all can also strengthen our conviction, help us endure any tragedy, and attain liberation from this fleeting world.

Planting a conviction in the heart that Allah has full control over everything helps us overcome many of our persisting doubts and worries. One of the most common doubts believers face is how we as humans can be held responsible for our actions if Allah has full control over everything.

One of the early Muslims is reported to have said, “Allah is not just Merciful enough to forgive you for something He decreed for you, but he is also too Mighty (Aziz) to need to force you to do things that are aligned with His plan.”

That is to say, it is precisely because of Allah’s might that He gives us agency, and has no need to take it away from us. Allah does not need you to fulfill His plan; you need Him to fulfill your plan.

The reality that Allah has full control over everything, but you have some kind of agency at least enough to be responsible in front of Allah, is, however, difficult for many to comprehend. For this reason, the Prophet ﷺ said “If predestination is mentioned, then hold (yourselves) back” (al-Mu’jam al-Kabīr 10448). Therefore, as Muslims we should take relief in our Lord’s overwhelming might, while refraining from excessive delving into the details of predestination.

Allah mentions his name al-Aziz in Surah Al-Buruj, a short and commonly recited chapter of the Qur’an. The chapter describes the massacre of a community of believers, the “Companions of the Ditch.” Allah informs us that this community was persecuted solely because of their belief in “the Almighty, the Most-Praiseworthy.” Here, Allah uses His name “the Almighty” to indicate that He could have prevented the massacre, the burning of these believers in ditches. Indeed, He could have made their fires cold like the fire of Ibrahim (as). Allah however had decreed that this event would take place, and He is Almighty, Most Praiseworthy, because the consequences were ultimately good for the believers, whom we are informed were granted the “ultimate victory” of securing a place in the eternal abode, paradise.

It is easy to fall into grief given the many tragedies that befall us and those around us. However, as believers we are encouraged to stay strong with an understanding that nothing occurs except that Allah allows it to happen; and He is Most Praiseworthy. Our beloved Prophet ﷺ said, “The believer’s affair is wondrous. If something good happens they are thankful and that is good for them, and if something bad happens to them they are patient and that is good for them” (Sahih Muslim 2999).

Taking this perspective causes a shift in how we view and relate to this worldly life. Therefore, the believers can confidently answer the question “Why do bad things happen to good people?” They don’t. At least not for the believer who can transform any circumstance into something positive by how they respond to it.

Finally, the name al-Aziz frees us from being shackled to this fleeting life.

When the Muslims went out to meet the disbelievers in the battle of Uhud, the hypocrites in Madina stayed back, fearful of the worldly consequences of the Muslims’ confrontation of the mighty Quraysh. Allah says on this occasion,

The hypocrites in Madina perceived only the might of Quraysh and their own might, too weak-minded to realize the might of Allah. To the contrary, when the believer pursues their life for the sake of the Almighty, they experience true liberation from the shackles of an illusory worldly life.

ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭab (rA) famously stated, “Verily, we were a disgraceful people and Allah honored us (aʿazzanā) with Islam. If we seek honor from anything besides that with which Allah honored us, Allah will disgrace us” (al-Mustadrak ‘alá al-Ṣaḥīḥayn 207).

Therefore, as we look at the Muslim ummah’s weakened state, many of us wish for honor and strength. The solution is clear: “Whoever desires honor—then to Allah belongs all honor” (Qur'an 35:10).

The only way to obtain honor and strength in this life (for the believers) and in the afterlife (for the believers and disbelievers) is to conform to the Almighty’s commandments and to refrain from His prohibitions.

For more on Allah’s beautiful name al-Aziz, see the video where Dr. Omar Suleiman is joined by special guests, Sh. Mohammad Al-Shinawy and Sh. Ammar Alshukry.